San (tribe)

The San (or Bushmen) were the original inhabitants of South Africa, appearing there about 30 000 years ago, but were largely exterminated by Dutch settlers. Only a few scattered bands remain. Together with the Khoikhoi they form the Khoisan group.

Opinions vary on whether the term Bushmen is a derogatory term. Anthropologists like Irven DeVore saw the term as merely meaning "people who live in the bush country". For various reasons, other do consider the term derogatory and are trying to eliminate its usage.